UFC 78 “Validation” Rocks the Brick City

By Danny Serratelli, ringside, Brickcityboxing.com: The UFC returned to New Jersey for the first time in several years with UFC 78 billed as “Validation” and they rocked the house. The house this time was in the Brick City, Newark New Jersey’s new Prudential Center Arena, also known as “The Rock”. It is a great venue for both sporting events and concerts and after recently opening with 10 dates with Bon Jovi, serving as the new home to the NHL’s New Jersey Devils and the indoor soccer club the New Jersey Ironmen, a professional boxing show should come soon. After experiencing a very successful show put on by the UFC, I plan to work towards personally bringing a world class professional boxing card to “The Rock” at some point in the future.

The main event which featured a battle of undefeated light heavyweights as Rashad Evans, 16-0-1 captured a split decision victory over Michael Bisping, 15-1 in a fight that was not as exciting as the ring entrance. When the fight ended it was not totally clear who won. The majority of the fans who were clearly pulling for the American fighter, Evans had to wait anxiously for the judges cards to be read to be sure that their man earned the decision. In the end 2 of the 3 judges scored the fight for the former Michigan State wrestler Evans by the score of 29-28, the 3 rd judge had it 29-28 for Bisping. It appeared that Evans advantage on the ground gave him the edge in an uneventful fight.

In the co-feature of the evening, Thiago Silva, 12-0 stopped Houston Alexander, 8-2 in the first round. Alexander is a fan favorite who comes to fight and lays it all on the line every time out. His rise from obscurity in Omaha Nebraska where he was asphalt worker came quickly in his 2 UFC appearances (109 seconds total) where he scored exciting and brutal knockouts in both bouts. In his first UFC appearance he scored a thrilling upset over huge favorite Keith Jardine. Until recently many people had to assume what the origin of a scar he has on his abdomen was, however it is now common knowledge that it comes from the operation in which the father of 6 donated a kidney to his 9 year old daughter back in 2000. Alexander makes it no secret that he fights for his family, and you will get what you pay for every time out one way or the other.

Despite the fact that Alexander was stopped this time by Silva early in the bout, his kill or be killed attitude was apparent early on. Silva tasted of Alexander’s power early and used his experience to take control on the ground and pin Alexander on his back. Silva showed excellent finishing skills when he set up and landed a lot of unanswered blows to Alexander who was pinned and not firing back or defending himself. The referee made the right call when he stopped the fight at 3:35 of the first round as Alexander was absorbing a lot of punishment.

Toms River New Jersey product, lightweight Frankie Edgar, 8-0 won a unanimous decision over veteran Spencer Fisher, 21-4. Edgar controlled the action throughout and swept on all 3 scorecards 30-27. Edgar who has a wrestling background was excited to earn the victory over a veteran like Fisher and after the bout asked the crowd, “Not bad for a Jersey shore kid huh? I got on top of him and didn’t let him up.” Edgar is a talented prospect who should be fun to watch.

Welterweight- Thiego Alves, 19-4 stopped Chris Lytle, 34-15-4 when the fight was halted by the referee and the two ringside doctors after the 2 nd round. One judge had Alves up 20-18, but the other 2 had the fight dead even 19-19 entering the last round. “The fight was beautiful,” said Alves. “I knew he was hurt, his leg was messed up and he got two cuts on the eye so I was saving everything for the last round. I know I was going to catch him in the last round.” It was a good matchup and a very good fight and you have to respect both fighters, one who thought the fight was beautiful and the other who really wanted to continue despite the cuts and possible leg injury.

Middleweights- Ed Herman knocked out Joe Doerksen at: 39 of round number 3 in a rematch to a fight that Doerksen won back in 2004.

Welterweights- Pride veteran Akhiro Gono, 28-12-7 stopped previously undefeated Tamda McCrory, 10-1 at 3:19 of round number 2 when he applied an arm bar and McCrory tapped out.

Lightweights- Marcus “Maximus” Aurelio, 15-5 scored a TKO over Luke Caudillo, 15-9 when the referee stopped it after several unanswered punches at 4:29 of round number 1.

Lightweights- Joe Lauzon, 15-3 stopped Jason Reinhardt 18-1 with a rear naked choke 74 seconds into the fight.

Welterweights- Karo Parysyan, 26-4 swept all 3 scorecards in a unanimous decision victory over Ryo Chonan, 14-8 who was making his UFC debut.

Special thanks to Rich Bergeron of www.fightnewsunlimited.com and the staff of Xyience for their hospitality.

From: www.Brickcityboxing.com and www.Roundcardmodels.com

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